Rating: 
Summary: simply...one of the greatest films of all time
Review: for all time...for every generation...the greatest
Rating:
Summary: More Mesmerizing Than Ever...
Review: This review refers to the Widescreen Collection(Paramount)DVD edition of "Apocalypse Now - Redux"......In 1979's "Apocalypse Now", Francis Ford Coppola presented us with a mesmerizing, stunning look at the horrors of Viet Nam. It was a film that looked at the hearts and minds of the soldiers and the effects the brutualities had on them. A magnificent work at the time, you wouldn't believe it could be any better. But now, more than 20 years later(and well worth the wait), Coppola has seen his vision completed, with the reediting of the film and the addition of previously deleted scenes, to bring us this gift of the even more mesmerizing "Apocalypse Now Redux". There is an additional 49 minutes now, and although I don't feel that every minute of it was essential to making this classic film an even better one, there is a new story here that helps us relate to the frame of mind of the soldiers. A scene where the boat crew takes time out for a rendevous with the playboy bunnies is one example of that.And although this scene may be a bit of a shocker at first, as it introduces a sexual situtaion where it was previously non exsistent, it gives us a greater understanding of what's going on in their heads. The added scene of the time spent on the French Plantation was again an eye-opener, and the funeral for "Mr. Clean" also was a welcome addition as it gives us a closure to the closeness we felt to this character. And of course, a little more time with the insane Colonel Kurtz was enlightning as well (who wouldn't want to spend a little more time with any character of Brando's?). The original film from 1979 received 8 nominations by Oscar, including Best Picture, Director, and a supporting actor nod for Robert("I love the smell of Napalm in the morning")Duvall. It took home well deserved Oscars for Cinematography(Vittorio Storaro) and Sound.
It stars Martin Sheen as Lt. Willard, who beset with his own emotional problems is sent on a dangerous mission to "terminate" the esteemed Col. Kurtz, played brillantly by Brando, who has now been driven insane by "The Horror" of it all. Willard is escorted into the wilds of Cambodia by a boat crew including a young Laurence Fishburne and Frederick Forrest. You will also find Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Sam Bottoms,Albert Hall, and Christan Marquand in this incredible cast. The DVD is beautifully remastered. You won't miss a thing with the widescreen presentation and the incredible Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. The colors and sounds of the jungles are captured wonderfully.There are no Special features, but may be viewed with English subtitles is needed. The scene selection does indicate which are the new scenes which is quite helpful if it's been a while since you've seen it. Still can't decide between the original and the Redux. This film is a treasure in any form. It's a piece of cinematic history that's probably worth getting both editions if you can. If not, give this one a try. It's a must for fans of classic cinema. "Never Get Out of The Boat"....Lt. Willard....thanks and enjoy..Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed with Added Footage
Review: First, the positive. The color is incredible. It is very rich, very natural and the film looks great; the print is exceptionally clear. However, I would have to agree with several other customer reviewers who state that the added scenes do not add to the film. In fact, I think they distract from the rhythm and flow of the film. The sex scene with the bunnies is stupid; poorly acted, poorly written and poorly edited. The French Plantation scene is interesting, but it does interupt the trip down the river. It is a bit too long and involved, and could have been edited down. And the additions with Kilgore looking for Lance after Lance steals his surf board is juvenile and silly. So, overall I would say the original cut of the film is much better than this "restored" version. However, the greatest fault of this DVD release is the abscence of an audio commentary; ... Usually I prefer the directors extended cuts over the shorter theatrical versions; however, in this case, I would have to vote for the original as the better of the two versions.
Rating: 
Summary: A movie this good deserves a better DVD
Review: I will save you a synopsis of this film - I'll assume you have a working knowledge of the film. This is a review of the Redux DVD. The added scenes were a mixed bag. The long-discussed French plantation sequence has been restored and included. I think this bizarre set piece brings the movie closer to the original Conrad source, as it touches on the absurdity of the situation Willard and the sailors find themselves in. But the sequence was overlong and seemed not to further the story but simply to narrate many of the themes Coppola already expressed in the original film. The added portions of the Kilgore segment seemed completely out of character. Yes, Willard bonds with the sailors when he steals the surfboard, but it is completely out of context with the rest of their experience together. The sailors don't like him, and he resents being on the ship with them. That makes this sequence gratuitous. Speaking of gratuitous, the medivac scene with the bunnies is a disapointing addition. What was the point of that, other than to see the playmates' breasts? If you want gratuitous female nudity, there are thousands of other DVDs out there for you. Why tarnish a movie masterpiece with this scene more worthy of an American Pie sequel? I was also very disappointed by the extras, or lack thereof. A movie this good deserves a full package of extras. No movie in recent memory has a more colorful behind-the-scenes story, and I would have loved to have seen this story represented in this disc. And finally, no audio commentary? Why? The only reason this disc gets 3 stars is becuase of the source material. Otherwise, this DVD is very disappointing.
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Summary: Apocalypse Complete
Review: First off, Apocalypse Now is not a war movie. I know a lot of people on both sides of the debate try to use Francis Ford Coppola?s masterpiece to bolster their Vietnam arguments, but its use to either side is fundamentally flawed. Apocalypse Now is a brilliant, stylish, and gritty movie that touches on the roots of madness and violence in the human mind, using the steamy jungles of South East Asia as a backdrop. The story itself is as intriguing as it is original (although Apocalypse Now does owe its basic origins to Joseph Conrad?s haunting novel, The Heart of Darkness). Colonel Kurtz, played brilliantly by an extremely frightening Marlon Brando, has gone insane. Kurtz is one of the most highly trained and decorated American soldiers in the entire army, a Green Beret who is a veritable encyclopedia when it comes to covert operations. However, Kurtz, frustrated with an army strategy rife with deadly inconsistencies, decides to fight the war on his own. Along with various other special operations soldiers and thousands of Montagnard natives, Kurtz has carved out his own private fiefdom in the deep jungle, where terror and madness reigns. To rectify this situation, the Army tasks tough but disturbed Captain Willard, played with somber brilliance by Martin Sheen. Willard is our narrator as we move upriver, into the heart of madness. Willard is to find Kurtz, and dispatch him, with ?extreme prejudice?. Accompanying him on the mission will be the crew of a navy patrol boat. As their journey continues, Willard and the crew share experiences that test all of them, and force the viewer to confront some really deep and complex questions. The best river episode comes when Willard meets with Colonel Kilgore, whose brash action but heroic demeanor gives him the air of a frontier cavalryman. Kilgore, personified by the award winning Robert Duvall, leads the famous ?Wagner Assault? that for many is the hallmark of this film. As the crew continues farther upriver, their experiences become more and more disturbing. Sheen?s narration is intense and fascinating, as his own psyche is tested by the increasing hardship. He, along with the viewer, begin to understand Kurtz in a way. As Willard finally encounters Kurtz and his followers, we are treated to some of the best dialogues between characters on film. Brando?s subdued madness and shear violence are just mind blowing, and the performance is pulled off brilliantly. The ending is the epitome of human madness and destruction, as Kurtz and Willard face off in the dramatic showdown. Redux makes Apocalypse Now complete in many ways. By adding such scenes as the French plantation, more dialogue with Kurtz, and the Playboy bunny episode, the movie has a richer, more mental side. It goes further, studying the themes of war, civilization, and Vietnam itself. Apocalypse Now has always been one of my all time favorite movies, but Redux takes it to another level entirely. One of the best movies of all time, with wonderful performances, and an amazing soundtrack by the Doors.
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Summary: Apocalypse Now.... and Then
Review: It's good to see that after 20 years, this film can still engender so much passion and controversy. For my six cents' worth, I'll start by stating that neither the original or the Redux versions are perfect. Some inconsistencies of the original are "fixed" by Redux but I agree that some of the extra footage was superfluous, particularly the Playboy bunny scene at the Medevac hospital. However, the plantation scene serves to divorce the viewer from reality and adds to Conrad's vision of a world gone mad through imperialism in "Heart of Darkness". Don't forget Conrad based his novel on his experiences in the Belgian Congo over 100 years ago. PS I would have loved more extras with the Redux release and it would have been great if Paramount had included Mrs. Coppola's ground-breaking documentary "Hearts of Darkness" about the making of "Apocalypse Now" with location shots and the pure hell of putting a masterpiece together. Perhaps there were copyright issues.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, Great quality, but too lengthy........
Review: Don't get me wrong...the redux version of this classic movies is probably the deffinition of what DVD quality should be. I mean this movie was released in 1978 and the piture and sound is amazing. The quality matches up to the movies released in 2003. The one problem is the added scenes are a bit too much. Most of the scenes are pointless and are really not necessary. For example, The French Plantaton scene, Cleans funeral, and a 20 minute conversation between Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen. I would of gave this movie 5 stars if these scenes were taken out. Overall this is a good Vietnam war movie. The cast is great and the acting is well done.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart of Darkness meets the Playboy Mansion
Review: The original Apocalypse Now gave Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness a modern context. Redux added gratuitous female nudity, expanding the potential audience to include less literately endowed minds.
Rating: 
Summary: Directors should not play Janitor
Review: Coppola should have stayed away from the cutting room floor. This "redux" is an extremely poor attempt. I can only guess that Coppola needs the money. If I could sue him for littering upon my DVD, I would.
Rating:
Summary: The best damn movie ever!
Review: As a child, I was switching channels and found Apocalypse Now on TV. I was blown away. No other movie has so many layers and different ideas that blend togther coherently. The images are beuatiful and I like the expanded version even better. The extra scenes flesh out the characters even more and you learn more about them. I like the french plantation scene as well. It gave me more to think about and put the whole war over there in more of a perspective. Having the doors song "the end", which is one of my favorites, also adds to the mystical atmosphere of the film. Buy this movie. this is filmmaking at it's best.
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